Oddschecker Grand National Trial Handicap Chase
 QuinnBet
Grade 3 Handicap Chase 15:15
Haydock Park
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus,
3m 4f 97y, Class 1   
Saturday 15th February 2025

Odds catcher

1 Famous Bridge 6/1
2 Apple Away 11/4F
3 Val Dancer 10/1
9 ran NR: Where It All Began Distances: 3l, 9½l, 6½l
Time: 7m 28.80s (slow by 5.80s)

Famous Bridge proved a hugely popular winner, giving Nicky Richards a well-earned victory on his road to recovery.

The Greystoke trainer has endured a tough few months after a serious fall on the gallops in November left him with a broken shoulder, multiple fractured ribs, and a fractured pelvis. But despite still feeling the effects—“a few aches and pains” as he put it—he looked remarkably sprightly in the paddock, a welcome sight for many.

His charge, Famous Bridge, had unfinished business in this race. Sent off favourite last year, he had come to grief inside the final mile, and after two solid runs this season, he returned as a 6-1 shot, sporting first-time cheekpieces.

Sean Quinlan had him in a perfect rhythm throughout, never rushing despite Welsh National hero Val Dancer making an early move for home. As they neared the business end, Famous Bridge moved smoothly into contention, but it was the favourite, Apple Away, who loomed as the biggest threat. The pair touched down over the last together, but staying power told the tale—Famous Bridge finding more to prevail by three lengths.

“He’s a good horse,” Richards said with a satisfied smile. “He was only just ticking over when he unseated last year, very unlucky, but he’s made up for it today. He’s a real stayer, always has been.”

Aintree won’t be an option this time—“he won’t get in, which is a shame because I’d have loved to run him”—but the Scottish National could be on the cards, provided conditions suit.

“He wouldn’t want it too fast,” Richards noted. “He’ll probably go to Cheltenham now for the Ultima, where he was fourth last year. I think he’s just coming into himself now. The cheekpieces just sharpened him up a bit.”

As for his own recovery, the trainer was quick to express gratitude for the support he’s received.

“I had so many well-wishers, you wouldn’t believe it. I’d like to thank everyone,” he said. “I’ll probably get back on a horse one day—it's all we know, it’s our life. It’s been a long process, and there’s still a few aches and pains, but we’re getting there.”

A fitting winner, and an even more fitting moment for a man whose love for the game remains as strong as ever.

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Grand National Trial
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Good to Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Famous Bridge 9 10-2 Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan 6/1
2 3 Apple Away 8 10-2 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 11/4F
3 9½ Val Dancer 8 10-2 Mel Rowley Charlie Hammond 10/1
4 6½ Git Maker 9 10-2 Jamie Snowden Gavin Sheehan 9/1
5 6 Galia Des Liteaux 9 10-4 Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell 17/1
6 13 Royale Pagaille 11 12-0 Venetia Williams Sean Bowen 12/1
7 7 Jubilee Express 8 10-2 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston 15/2
PU Fontaine Collonges 10 10-11 Venetia Williams Ned Fox 20/1
UR Yeah Man 8 10-8 Gavin Cromwell Sean Flanagan 4/1
NR 7 Where It All Began 9 10-2 Gordon Elliott Jordan Gainford

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Grand National Trial Winners

2024 - YEAH MAN (9/2J)
2023 - QUICK WAVE (18/1)
2022 – BRISTOL DE MAI (11/2)
2021 - LORD DU MESNIL (8/1)
2020 – SMOOTH STEPPER (33/1)
2019 – ROBINSFIRTH (8/1)
2018 – YALA ENKI (8/1)
2017 – VIEUX LION ROUGE (8/1)
2016 – BISHOPS ROAD (13/2)
2015 – LIE FORRIT (8/1)
2014 – RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (16/1)
2013 – WELL REFRESHED (9/2 fav)
2012 – GILES CROSS (4/1 fav)
2011 – SILVER BY NATURE (10/1)
2010 – SILVER BY NATURE (7/1)
2009 – RAMBLING MINSTER (18/1)
2008 – MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (17/2)
2007 – HELTORNIC (12/1)
2006 – OSSMOSES (14/1)
2005 – FOREST GUNNER (12/1)
2004 – JURANCON II (10/1)
2003 - SHOTGUN WILLY (10/1)

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